Assessing Hearing Conservation Effectiveness

描述（由申请人提供）：噪声性听力损失（NIHL）仍然是最常见的职业障碍之一，即使在符合osha听力保护计划（HCPs）的工作场所也是如此。预防职业性听力损失和开发更好的工具来评估HCP的有效性是制造业国家职业研究议程（NORA）的首要任务。该提案将建立在研究团队和一家大型制造公司之间的独特关系之上，以开发一种全面的“混合方法”来评估HCP的有效性。本研究还将检查在一些研究机构中实施的预防听力损失的创新技术的效果。该研究的目的是：1)招募10个地点，确定每个工厂工人的高频听力损失观察率和预期率；2)对工厂听力测量数据库进行定量分析，包括建议的ANSI评估HCP有效性的方法；3)使用焦点小组和访谈对HCP组件进行现场定性分析；4)使用混合方法和多变量方法结合和比较定量和定性评估。本研究将有助于开发一种实用的工具来评估听力保护的有效性，并加强对噪音引起的听力损失的预防。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) continues to be one of the most common occupational disorders, even in workplaces with OSHA-compliant hearing conservation programs (HCPs). Prevention of occupational hearing loss and development of better tools to assess HCP effectiveness are top priorities of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) for manufacturing. This proposal will build on a unique relationship between the research team and a major manufacturing company to develop a comprehensive, "mixed method" approach for assessing HCP effectiveness. This research will also examine the effect of innovative technologies for hearing loss prevention that have been implemented in some study facilities. The study aims are to 1) recruit 10 locations and determine observed vs. expected rates of high frequency hearing loss for workers at each facility, 2) Perform quantitative analyses of the facility audiometric databases, including proposed ANSI methods for assessment of HCP effectiveness, 3) perform onsite qualitative analyses of HCP components using focus groups and interviews, and 4) combine and compare quantitative and qualitative assessments using mixed methods and multivariate approaches. This research will result in the development of a practical tool for assessing hearing conservation effectiveness and enhanced prevention of noise induced hearing loss. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research addresses an urgent need to better assess and improve hearing conservation programs nationally. It has the potential to affect daily hearing conservation practice affecting millions of noise exposed workers in this country. The results of this study could have major research to practice (r2p) implications for hearing conservation, identifying important new opportunities for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss, one of the most prevalent occupational diseases.